[Northkeep] A Mandala in Tulsa

[Anawyn at aol.com]

If you can spare the time today, there is something really special going on
in Tulsa. There are several Buddhist monks finishing up a Mandala today,
which is a colored sand painting dedicated as a prayer or a meditation on
wisdom, and may be dedicated to several deities. This particular one is
directed at healing for Tulsa, and it is located at the Unity Center at 1830
South Boston.
They have been working on it since Monday, and it is on a table about 5 feet
in diameter. This is something that you may never again see in your lifetime,
and if you have children, certainly take them to see this. We have all seen
pictures of these, but like all such objects of wonder, a picture does not do
it justice, and the vibrancy of color does need to be seen to be appreciated.
Certainly those of us in the SCA who have observed the "maniacs" of our arts
and science world who devote intense labor to fine things, will really
appreciate the delicacy and intricacy of this time consuming project. The
sand is distributed through metal cones, and is tapped into place using
varying pressure from wooden sticks. Just fascinating!
They will be brushing away the Mandala, Sunday at noon, which is to show the
impermanence of all things, and will then disperse the sand into the Arkansas
River to let it flow back into all things. Isn't that lovely? Of all the hard
things in our lives, and all the meanness around - one moment just to do a
good thing. And poor Tulsa could certainly use some good these days.
Don't quote me, because I am not sure, but I believe it was Emerson who said
that what lies behind us, and what lies ahead of us, does not begin to
compare with what lies within us.
Anyway, if you can go by, I believe it is worth it - just a little captured
moment. They close around 4:00 PM today.
Anawyn